Cheese-follower.



N. OESTRBIGH.

CHEESE POLLOWEB.

APPLIUATIOH rum) FEB. 11, 1914.

1, 107,989. Patented Aug. 18, 191i Norma/n fleaimcig.

THE NORRIS PETERS C11. PHOrv-LITHQ. WASHINGION. D. c.

, other in order that the draining UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. NORMAN OESTREICH, PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIESS IGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 ANTON SCHULTE, 0F PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN.

cHnnsE-roLLownB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914'.

Application filed February 17, 1914. Serial N 0. 819,291.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN OESTREIOH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plymouth, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cheese-Followers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to followers adapted to be used inhoops or tubes which contain cheese or sausage and it consists in the novel features hereinafter described and claimed. d

An object of the invention is to provide a follower of the character indicated which is of simple and durable structure and which is sanitary and serviceable.

With the above object in view the follower comprises a metallic plate having an annular flange riveted or otherwise secured to the same and a split expansible metallic ring located between the flange and the plate, the periphery ing beyond the edges of the plate and flange. The plate is provided with openings through which the whey may drain and the ends of the rivets which secure the flange to the plate project sufficiently beyond one side of the plate to afford spacing means in the event that the follower and bottom of a hoop should come in close relation to each of the whey may be accomplished.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 is a perspective view of the follower showing the same applied. Fig. 2 is a plan view looking at one side of the follower. Fig. 3

is a similar view looking at the opposite side of the follower. Fig. 4 1s a sectional view of the follower and part of the container in which it is located. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of several containers or parts thereof stacked showing the follower in position in one.

The follower comprises a plate 1 which is provided with a series of apertures 2 through which liquid may drain and which may also be used to facilitate the removal of the plate from a receptacle by passing an implement through the aperture 2. The plate 1 is formed from sheet metal and against one side of the plate is located an annular flange 3 of similar material the said flange being secured in position against the plate by means of rivets 4 the heads 5 of which extend beyond one side of the plate 1. The

of the ring normally projectouter edge portion of the flange 3 is spaced from the periphery of the plate 1 and in the space between the said flange and the plate is located a resilient split ring 6. The edge portion of the ring 6 normally projects beyond the edges of the flange and the plate and the edge'of the ring is adapted to engage the inner surface of the receptacle in which the follower is used, and prevents the contents from squeezing through between the split ring and side of the receptacle.

By reason of the fact that the plate 1 is provided with the apertures 2 the whey or other liquid in the contents of the receptacle may drain through the apertures 2 of the lowermost plate. Also by reason of the fact that the heads 5 project beyond one side of the plate the said heads serve as means for spacing one receptacle from another when the receptacles are piled one on the other and consequently the whey or liquid from the uppermost receptacle may drain from the same through the openings 2 of the lowermost plate of the said receptacle. Furthermore when the receptacles are placed in a rotating press, the whey or liquid may pass between the follower and the bottom of the next receptacle. Again it will be seen that owing to the fact that the ring 6 is resilient the edge of the said ring will at all times bear against the inner surface of the receptacle and consequently the receptacle is efficiently closed and the contents thereof protected. In view of the fact that all of they parts of the follower are of metal the said follower may be readily cleaned or sterilized when removed from the receptacle and consequently the follower may be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A follower comprising an annular plate, an annular flange secured to the plate and having an edge portion spaced from the edge of the plate, a resilient split ring located in the space between the plate and the flange and having an edge portion which normally lies beyond the edges of the plate and flange, said plate being provided at its intermediate portion with apertures.

2. A follower comprising an annular. plate, an annular flange secured to the plate and having an edge portion spaced from the edge of the plate, a resilient split ring located in the space between the flange and the plate and having an edge portion which nor- In testii'non whereof I afliX my signature filally lies beyond the edges of the plate and in presence 01' two Witnesses.

an e said olate bein orovided at its intermecfiaie por tion With zipertures, and rivet-s NORMAN OESTREICH' 5 passing transversely through the plate and \Vitnesses:

having heads which lie beyond one side of OTTO BERGEMANN, the plate. LOUIS H. PIEPER.

Copies of this. patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washing-ton, D. C. 

